1
as in energetic
having much high-spirited energy and movement
the mettlesome opening dance number got the audience all jazzed up
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fiery
marked by a lively display of strong feeling
a mettlesome debate on the teaching of evolution in the schools
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of mettlesome
He may have been provoked into battle by the ruler of Cebu, who was using Magellan’s troops to rid himself of a mettlesome chieftain known to raid the trade ships that navigated the waters in and around the islands.
—
Tim Carman, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2022
Tim Carman, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mettlesome
Adjective
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With the right team in place, sessions feel warm, energetic, and inviting.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Williams went viral for his energetic behavior on the sideline during the game.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Behold the golden-orange horizon over Kitt Peak National Observatory, a fiery twilight moment where day bows out and the stars prepare their grand entrance.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
31 Oct. 2025
-
After making the difficult choice to leave Fritz, Nicks recalled the beginnings of her famously fiery romance with Buckingham.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Awards were given out across 33 categories, with winners in the narrative, documentary, and animated shorts categories achieving Oscar eligibility.—
Giana Levy,
Variety,
27 Oct. 2025
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Despite being a pretty great animated sitcom in its own right, Dispatch will need to quickly start leaning further into its immersive elements to justify its place (and price tag) among a crowded streaming landscape.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Our entire staff was enamored with the crunchy, buttery, bite-sized cookies, and soon our office chat was buzzing with a spirited debate about the best flavor.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
30 Oct. 2025
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Sometimes the living room was converted from a study to a meeting room, and silence gave way to conversation, spirited debate, and laughter.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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My appetite for more Lee is low, but Harjo’s Tulsa — cynical and lively at the same time — simmers with more to say.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
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Lomax not only wrote the song but also stars in the commercial, which portrays him enjoying the Biggie Bag combo meal, a scene that turns into a lively celebration of music and food.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The restaurant now has a spunky logo and a front patio.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
29 Oct. 2025
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The zoo added Lois had a strong will and a spunky personality and loved snacks and attention.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee,
Kansas City Star,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In his work, everything is animate, everything has a soul, everything has a story.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
8 Oct. 2025
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In his account of an Essex owl evening, all senses seem to merge, and all distinction between animate and inanimate disappears.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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With more than 33 billion plays and one of the most passionate fanbases on the Roblox platform, Grow a Garden is a game where players cultivate thriving gardens, trade crops, decorate worlds, and collaborate in seasonal events.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
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Both are impeccably made and performed and will have passionate supporters.—
Jenelle Riley,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mettlesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mettlesome. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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